Transportation in Australia

Sydney links Australia to all the other continents, hence Sydney’s airport is the most crowded and used airport in the country. Once arrived, travelers can chose between domestic flights, trains or buses to go to other cities. Due to the big distances, the most recommended mean of transport is the plane. Within the cities, travelers can choose between the public transport, walking / biking or renting a car.

Arriving and Departing

When arriving and departing from Australia, travelers use either Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) or Melbourne International Airport (MEL).

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport is Australia’s largest airport and is located at 8 km / 5 miles from the city center. There are 35 airlines which serve the airport, connecting Sydney to destinations all over the world. Sydney airport is the only Australian airport which provides connections to every continent.

Every Australian capital city is connected by plan to Sydney. Otherwise you would need to fly to Canberra and then take a domestic flight to your destination. Melbourne and Brisbane are located at about an hour and a half flight time from Sydney, while Canberra is at about 45 minutes.

Melbourne International Airport is located in Tullamarine, at 22 km / 13.7 miles from the city center. It links Melbourne to many international destinations in Europe, America, Asia and South Pacific region. It’s also important for domestic flights, although Avalon Airport is used for domestic flights and flights from New Zeeland only.

Getting Around

From the Airport to the city center

In Sydney, a train service –known as Airport Link – links the airport to the city. The single tickets cost AUD 14.20 for adults and AUD 9.60 for child. A taxi ride to the city center costs about AUD 30. You can also rent a car directly from the airport, although it would cost more than if you rent when you arrive in the city.

In Melbourne, the taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs about AUD 40-45 and takes about 25 minutes. A private Skybus shuttle runs between the airport and the city center. The ride takes 20 minutes and is the fastest way to get to the city. Tickets (one-way) cost AUD 15 for adults and AUD 5 for children.

From one city to another

You can drive from Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane in a full day. The ride takes about 9 hours non-stop to Melbourne and 11 hours to Brisbane.

Coach companies link Sydney to all the capital cities in Australia.

If you prefer the train, head to Sydney’s Central Station. Sydney is well connected to Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and most important cities in the region. Please note that because the journeys are very long, the tickets are also very expensive.

Most train rides from Melbourne to the other capital cities take about 10 hours. Melbourne is also well connected to the major cities in the Victory area (such as Albury).

Walking and cycling in the cities?

Not all Australian cities are perfect for walking, but Melbourne is one of those which are very easy to navigate, providing excellent conditions for those who prefer to “go green”. Purchase a map from one of the bookstores and start exploring the city.

Melbourne also has an extensive network of bike trails. Buy a map and start exploring the city and its surroundings. For the tourists, the most important trails are:

• Yarra River Trail: starts a the mouth of the river, goes through the town and continues to the outer suburbs
• Capital City Trail: runs trough the inner suburbs and the city
• Bay Trail: starts in Port Melbourne and goes past the beaches all the way to Carrum.

Another suitable city for bikers is Canberra. It has a great network of bike trails. Make sure to purchase a map before you start exploring the city. Please note that some tracks away from the city center might be quite hard to negotiate (they are quite hilly). The bike tracks are also available on line.

Public Transportation

In Sydney, the only bus connecting the airport to the city is 400. Take it to the Rockdale Train Station and then take the train to the city. This is the cheapest way to arrive in the city center (the bus ticket costs about AUD 3 for tourists and the train little over AUD 3).

Sydney has a great public transport system, especially in the center and where the major attractions are located. Check the timetables, buy travel cards –they are the cheapest way to use the public transport – and a map. If you plan to stick around for a longer period of time, purchase a SydneyPass which allows for unlimited travel for up to 8 days.

Melbourne has a great public transport system, making it unnecessary to rent a car. Known as Metlink, it comprises trams, trains and buses. The trams service the city center and the inner suburbs, the trains service the suburbs, while the buses are used where there are no tram or train rails. Get a map and learn bit about the Zones (which you will get used to very easily). Unfortunately you can’t purchase discounted cards.